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In a scathing critique, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif rebuked the Indian batters for their dismal showing against New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel and part-timer Glenn Phillips during the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium. Kaif highlighted that Patel, who claimed twin five-wicket hauls in both innings, lacks the subtlety and skill typical of world-class spinners and suggested that his predictable variations could be matched by bowlers found in local Indian clubs.
Patel’s 11-wicket performance set a record as the leading foreign wicket-taker at the Wankhede with 25 wickets, with his spin companion Phillips snatching four wickets to complete New Zealand’s whitewash of the series. This defeat has also ended India’s remarkable home record of 12 undefeated years, underscoring what Kaif sees as a glaring flaw in the team’s ability to tackle spin on rank turners.
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Kaif Critiques Indian Technique Against Spin
Kaif didn’t hold back on social media, calling the performance “embarrassing” and pointing to the lack of adaptability displayed by the Indian batters. He noted that Ajaz’s limitations—such as his predictable trajectory—should have been managed better by experienced Indian batsmen.
Only two Indian players managed to cross the fifty-run mark: Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill. The rest of the lineup seemed lost as Ajaz Patel, Phillips, and supporting bowlers Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi seized control.
Sehwag Echoes Kaif’s Concerns
Virender Sehwag also weighed in, acknowledging New Zealand’s achievement while urging the Indian squad to reevaluate their approach to spin. Sehwag commented on India’s technical weaknesses, advocating for skill upgrades and cautioning against over-experimentation, especially in Test cricket, a format rooted in traditional discipline.
This rare home-series defeat serves as a stark reminder of the team’s vulnerabilities and has sparked conversations around potential changes in India’s strategy against spin bowling in future matches.
